Publication Of International Guidelines Research Articles

National Trends in Statin Use in Lithuania from 2010 to 2021.

Objective: In Lithuania, no comprehensive national research on statin utilization and trends has yet been undertaken. Nonetheless, this knowledge is critical for the healthcare system to identify key areas for development. We aimed to analyze trends in statin utilization in Lithuania from the past 12 years considering changes in reimbursement policies and the publication of updated international CVD prevention guidelines. Methods: We performed a retrospective, descriptive study of statin utilization in Lithuania from 2010 to 2021. The data were obtained from PharmaZOOM LT, an independent software supplier with nationwide coverage on pharmaceutical market data. The data coverage was 95%. We used anatomical therapeutic chemical (ATC) classification for data extraction and calculated defined daily doses (DDDs) according to the ATC/DDD Toolkit of World Health Organization according to statin dose in a pill. Results: Statin use increased overall from 8.28 DDD/TID in 2010 to 96.06 DDD/TID in 2021. The annual growth rate in sales of statin DDD/TID was 22.28%. The increase was mostly due to the increase in moderate- and high-intensity statins. The increases coincided with changes in reimbursement policy or the publication of international guidelines. Polypill use in Lithuania began steadily increasing after 2016 and reached 19.37% of the total DDD/TID of statins in 2021. Conclusions: The use of statins has increased dramatically in Lithuania over the last decade. Changes in statin reimbursement regulations in the country, as well as worldwide cardiovascular preventive recommendations aiming at lower LDL-C objectives, fueled the progress.

The need for an institution-specific normal pressure hydrocephalus management protocol.

Background: Despite the publication of international guidelines, the management of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) varies due to clinician preference and varying clinical evidence. An audit was performed to review the current pathways used in clinical practice with the aim of formulating an institution-specific protocol to optimize and standardize care.Methods: An internal audit was performed on the management of patients with NPH who presented to the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane between January 2016 and February 2019.Results: Forty-one patients were included in the study. Lumbar puncture (LP) was the main diagnostic test used (63.4%). About 14.6% underwent lumbar drain (LD) insertion instead. About 12.2% did not undergo either LP or LD before definitive treatment. Only 60% of all patients underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion. Overall, five treatment pathways were noted. LP + VP shunt showed the greatest average improvement in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) or Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) (+3.8 ± 3.18), followed by LD + VP shunt (+3.25 ± 3.52) and sole treatment with LP (+1.83 ± 1.18). Both pre and post intervention assessment of gait and cognition were only performed in 31% and 48.8% of patients, respectively. Four types of cognitive assessment were used (MOCA 46.4%, MMSE 46.4%, Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale 3.6%, and Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-III 3.6%). MoCA showed greater cognition improvement (2.07) compared to MMSE (1.3) post intervention. There was no consistent objective gait assessment test used.Conclusion: The multiple NPH treatment pathways, low rate of pre and post objective symptom assessment, and lack of standardized gait and cognitive assessment tests demonstrate a clear need for an institution-specific NPH management protocol to standardize diagnostic workup, definitive management, and allied health assessment.

Improving the quality of care for people with giant cell arteritis

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a systemic vasculitis with numerous potential complications and societal costs. After the publication of international guidelines, we found a number of deficiencies in the local care pathway of patients suspected to have GCA. These included poor referral and management pathways, and absence of dedicated monitoring and follow-up. In this paper, we describe a 10-year transformation which led to our service being nominated for a national award.A comprehensive consensus pathway saw referral numbers rise from 19 to 135 from 2012 to 2019. A consensus management pathway has meant that patients are assessed within 2 days of referral and glucocorticoids started at point of referral. All patients with suspected GCA are clerked and managed according to this agreed pathway which is available on the hospital intranet. The introduction of diagnostic ultrasonography has meant that the need for biopsies has dropped by >80% reducing the annual cost of diagnostics by >£140,000. The introduction of a vasculitis specialist nurse has resulted in improving education, contact and speed of access to our service. The improvements in the service resulted in our service becoming a finalist in the Royal College of Physicians Excellence in Patient Care Award in 2020.

Echographie pulmonaire en réanimation pédiatrique : revue des connaissances en 2020

L’échographie pulmonaire (EP) s’est considérablement répandue en réanimation adulte mais son utilisation néonatale et pédiatrique, bien que croissante, reste plus limitée et la radiographie thoracique demeure l’examen de première ligne dans la plupart des centres. L’objectif de cette revue est de faire le point sur les études menées spécifiquement en réanimation pédiatrique, afin de présenter les connaissances déjà établies, les avantages et les limites de l’EP. Après un point sur son utilisation dans les pathologies néonatales et communautaires pédiatriques, nous abordons les utilisations spécifiques à la réanimation de l’enfant. L’EP présente un triple intérêt de diagnostic d’urgence, de guide aux procédures thérapeutiques et de suivi évolutif en temps réel ou différé. En néonatologie, elle aide à identifier l’étiologie des détresses respiratoires immédiates et secondaires et la gestion des détresses vitales. En pédiatrie communautaire, elle est utile au diagnostic de pneumonie et de bronchiolite et à la détection de complications. En réanimation pédiatrique, elle permet la mise en évidence des pneumopathies acquises sous ventilation mécanique (PAVM) et l’évaluation et le suivi du recrutement alvéolaire notamment dans le syndrome de détresse respiratoire aigüe (SDRA) ou les atélectasies péri opératoires. En combinaison avec le monitorage hémodynamique, elle aide à la surveillance des patients à risque d’oedème pulmonaire notamment dans les cardiopathies ou les sepsis. Enfin elle détecte rapidement les complications pulmonaires de réanimation ou post-opératoires, les atteintes thoraciques traumatiques et certaines causes potentiellement réversibles d’arrêt cardiaque. La publication récente des recommandations internationales pédiatriques et néonatales sur l’échographie d’urgence pourrait encourager sa diffusion dans la pratique courante.

Back to the Future - Part 1. The medico-legal autopsy from ancient civilization to the post-genomic era.

Part 1 of the review "Back to the Future" examines the historical evolution of the medico-legal autopsy and microscopy techniques, from Ancient Civilization to the Post-Genomic Era. In the section focusing on "The Past", the study of historical sources concerning the origins and development of the medico-legal autopsy, from the Bronze Age until the Middle Ages, shows how, as early as 2000BC, the performance of autopsies for medico-legal purposes was a known and widespread practice in some ancient civilizations in Egypt, the Far East and later in Europe. In the section focusing on "The Present", the improvement of autopsy techniques by Friedrich Albert Zenker and Rudolf Virchow and the contemporary development of optical microscopy techniques for forensic purposes during the 19th and 20th centuries are reported, emphasizing, the regulation of medico-legal autopsies in diverse nations around the world and the publication of international guidelines or best practices elaborated by International Scientific Societies. Finally, in "The Future" section, innovative robotized and advanced microscopy systems and techniques, including their possible use in the bio-medicolegal field, are reported, which should lead to the improvement and standardization of the autopsy methodology, thereby achieving a more precise identification of natural and traumatic pathologies.

Trends in diagnosis and management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Canada

ABSTRACTRATIONALE: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disease with a poor prognosis. Physician practice patterns on the diagnosis and management of IPF in Canada have not been described.OBJECTIVE: To describe the practice patterns of Canadian respirologists on the diagnosis and management of IPF and to determine if these patterns reflect current guidelines.METHODS: We conducted surveys of Canadian physicians and fellows-in-training in 2009 and 2013. Questions addressed the diagnosis of IPF, screening for comorbidities, treatment of IPF, and acute exacerbations of IPF.MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Response rates in the 2009 and 2013 surveys were 22% and 17%, respectively. Most respondents felt that high resolution CT scan can diagnose IPF in most cases, with lung biopsy rarely performed. The majority screened for hypoxemia, pulmonary hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux, and autoimmune disease. In 2013, more respondents used no pharmacologic therapy to treat IPF (2009, 36% vs. 2013, 56%, p < 0.01) and 34% used first-line pirfenidone. Fewer respondents used prednisone (2009, 61% vs. 2013, 7%, p < 0.001) or azathioprine (2009, 38% vs. 2013, 1%, p < 0.001), while many employed first-line N-acetylcysteine (2009, 47% vs. 2013, 42%, p = 0.47). In 2013, 20% had no access to multidisciplinary diagnosis discussion, 33% accessed specialty IPF clinics, and <1% accessed palliative care. Referral for lung transplantation was higher in 2013 than 2009 (26% vs. 13%, p = 0.01). Treatment of acute exacerbations changed, with more use of corticosteroids and antibiotics, and less additional immunosuppression in 2013.CONCLUSIONS: Practice patterns for diagnosis and treatment of IPF in Canada evolved in concordance with the publication of international guidelines in 2011. Access to palliative care, lung transplantation referral, multidisciplinary diagnosis discussion, and specialty IPF clinics were identified as gaps in IPF care in Canada.

Italian survey on general pediatricians' approach to children with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the current approach of Italian general pediatricians to children with gastroesophageal reflux (GER) symptoms, evaluating the implementation of the 2009 North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN)-European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) guidelines. One hundred randomly identified Italian general pediatricians were asked to complete a case report-structured questionnaire investigating their approach to infants, children, and adolescents with symptoms suggestive of GER. Only 2 % of them showed complete adherence to the guidelines. Thirty-nine percent of them diagnosed GER disease based on clinical symptoms, irrespective of the age of the child; 56 % prescribed proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in infants with unexplained crying and/or distressed behavior and 38 % in infants with uncomplicated recurrent regurgitation and vomiting; 57 % prescribed PPIs in children younger than 8-12 years of age with vomiting and heartburn, without specific testing; and 54 % discontinued PPI therapy abruptly. The overall rate of pediatricians over-prescribing PPIs was 79 %. According to our findings, most Italian general pediatricians do not seem to follow the recommendations of the 2009 NASPGHAN-ESPGHAN reflux guidelines and often prescribe PPIs despite a lack of efficacy for the symptoms being treated. We are well aware that the guidelines address the average situation and that the evaluation of individual patients may frequently reveal reasons for opening criteria for exceptions. Nevertheless, the over-diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) places undue burden on both families and national health system which has not been impacted by the publication of international guidelines.

THU0581-HPR Effectiveness of A Rheumatology Nurse Follow up Programme in Achieving the Desired Target Serum Urate Levels for Patients with Gouty Arthritis

BackgroundUrate lowering therapy (ULT) can effectively reduce serum urate level (SUA) and flares for gout, thereby minimizing progressive joint damage. Despite advances in therapies for gout and the publication of...

Adherence to best practice guidelines in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) improves patient outcome

Chronic urticaria is a common condition that causes considerable detriment to quality of life [1]. In the UK, patients are frequently referred to regional immunology services for investigation of putative allergic triggers [2]. The majority of cases of peristent urticaria are, however, not allergic in origin and are ultmately classified as Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU). The publication of international guidelines on the investigation and management of chronic urticaria represent a significant [...]

European Pediatricians' Approach to Children With GER Symptoms

ABSTRACTObjective:The aim of this study was to evaluate the current implementation of the 2009 North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition‐European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition guidelines, and to assess proton pump inhibitors' (PPIs) prescribing patterns among pediatricians from different European countries.Methods:A randomly identified sample of general pediatricians distributed across 11 European countries. They were asked to complete a case report–structured questionnaire investigating their approaches to infants, children, and adolescents with symptoms suggestive of gastroesophageal reflux.Results:A total of 567 European general pediatricians completed the study questionnaire. Only 1.8% of them showed complete adherence to the guidelines. Forty‐six percent of them reported that they diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease based on clinical symptoms irrespective of the age of the child; 39% prescribe PPIs in infants with unexplained crying and/or distressed behavior and 36% prescribe PPIs in infants with uncomplicated recurrent regurgitation and vomiting; 48% prescribed PPIs in children younger than 8 to 12 years with vomiting and heartburn, without specific testing; 45% discontinue PPI therapy abruptly rather than tapering the dose. The overall rate of pediatricians overprescribing PPIs was 82%.Conclusions:The overall results of our survey show that the majority of pediatricians are unaware of 2009 North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition‐European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition reflux guidelines and often prescribe PPIs despite a lack of efficacy for the symptoms being treated. The overdiagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease places undue burden on both families and national health systems, which has not been affected by the publication of international guidelines.

Performance of aseptic technique during neuraxial analgesia for labor before and after the publication of international guidelines on aseptic technique

BackgroundAseptic technique and handwashing have been shown to be important factors in perioperative bacterial transmission, however compliance often remains low despite guidelines and educational programs. Infectious complications of neuraxial (epidural and spinal) anesthesia are severe but fortunately rare. We conducted a survey to assess aseptic technique practices for neuraxial anesthesia in Israel before and after publication of international guidelines (which focused on handwashing, jewelry/watch removal and the wearing of a mask and cap).MethodsThe sampling frame was the general anesthesiology workforce in hospitals selected from each of the four medical faculties in Israel. Data was collected anonymously over one week in each hospital in two periods: April 2006 and September 2009. Most anesthesiologists received the questionnaires at departmental staff meetings and filled them out during these meetings; additionally, a local investigator approached anesthesiologists not present at these staff meetings individually. Primary endpoint questions were: handwashing, removal of wristwatch/jewelry, wearing mask, wearing hat/cap, wearing sterile gown; answering options were: "always", "usually", "rarely" or "never". Primary endpoint for analysis: respondents who both always wash their hands and always wear a mask ("handwash-mask composite") - "always" versus "any other response". We used logistic regression to perform the analysis. Time (2006, 2009) and hospital were included in the analysis as fixed effects.Results135/160 (in 2006) and 127/164 (in 2009) anesthesiologists responded to the surveys; response rate 84% and 77% respectively. Respondents constituted 23% of the national anesthesiologist workforce. The main outcome "handwash-mask composite" was significantly increased after guideline publication (33% vs 58%; p = 0.0003). In addition, significant increases were seen for handwashing (37% vs 63%; p = 0.0004), wearing of mask (61% vs 78%; p < 0.0001), hat/cap (53% vs 76%; p = 0.0011) and wearing sterile gown (32% vs 51%; p < 0.0001). An apparent improvement in aseptic technique from 2006 to 2009 is noted across all hospitals and all physician groups.ConclusionSelf-reported aseptic technique by Israeli anesthesiologists improved in the survey conducted after the publication of international guidelines. Although the before-after study design cannot prove a cause-effect relationship, it does show an association between the publication of international guidelines and significant improvement in self-reported aseptic technique.

The French registry of pulmonary arterial hypertension in children: rationale and design

ABSTRACTBackground: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is an orphan disease with a poor prognosis. Recent significant medical advances include the availability of PAH-targeted therapies as well as the publication of international guidelines and of a treatment algorithm. Epidemiology data relative to PAH are scarce, especially in the paediatric population. Based on the recent experience of a French PAH registry in the adult population, we set up the project to establish a similar registry dedicated to paediatric PAH in France.Methods: This multicentre, prospective, epidemiological and non-interventional study consists of a transversal phase (1‐year enrolment) and a longitudinal phase (2‐year follow-up). Patients < 18 years old followed in the investigational centres for PAH, and for whom data from right heart catheterization or Doppler echocardiography at the time of diagnosis are available, are eligible. All forms of PAH may be enrolled, except for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn and where congenital heart diseases are the cause of PAH.Conclusion: The objectives of the study are to determine the prevalence and incidence of PAH in children and to describe the characteristics, the survival in the current era and the management of paediatric PAH, paying special attention to the quality of life and impact of PAH on social and schooling activities. Recruitment for the transversal phase started in May 2005, in 21 cardiopaediatric centres that represent the majority of large University Hospitals in France, with a widespread geographical distribution. This registry will provide crucial information on PAH in children in the era of PAH-targeted therapies. It may help in identifying areas of improvement for optimal support to patients.

Anemia management for hemodialysis patients: Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) guidelines and Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) findings

After recombinant human erythropoietin was introduced into routine nephrologic practice, specific clinical guidelines were developed to optimize the quality of anemia management for patients with chronic kidney disease. The Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS), an international investigation providing patient- and facility-level data on hemodialysis practice, was developed to provide information on various aspects of current practices in hemodialysis management, including treatment of renal anemia. Hemoglobin concentration is strongly associated with both morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. Although some improvements can be documented in anemia management practices in the years after the publication of international guidelines, wide variations in anemia management are still observed among countries. Many efforts are still needed to allow a greater proportion of patients to reach the recommended hemoglobin concentrations. Significantly improved outcomes may therefore be expected by a more widespread reaching of the recommended hemoglobin levels. The results of the DOPPS point to the difficulties in implementing clinical guidelines in the everyday management of individual patients. In specific circumstances, a well-designed observational study may offer credible information and serve as a basic instrument for monitoring the implementation of clinical guidelines in typical clinical practice.